National Journal // It’s misleading to compare marijuana to beer, says the Beer Institute, because they’re “distinctly different.” I think that was the point of the pre-election ads in Portland, Maine, sponsored by the Marijuana Policy Project. But decide for yourself: you’ll find them here.

COPS & COURTS

The Weed Blog // The Colorado Appeals Court decided back in the spring that an employer can legally fire an employee for using cannabis, even though the state allows medical and recreational use. Dish Network has done precisely that, relieving a quadriplegic customer service representative of his duties because he uses marijuana.

NPR // Police dogs still receive training in identifying illegal drugs in Washington State, but cannabis is no longer on that list. Instances of being “high on the highway” have shown a seven percent increase since legalization.

BUSINESS

ArcView Investor Network // investors from ArcView heard business pitches from 13 companies this week in Seattle. Over a hundred applicants applied for a share of the $1.7 million offered by the Network.

HEALTH

NYT // Here’s another report on the health benefits of the CBDcomponent of cannabis, this time from the New York Times.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Journal // A small study of patients in the US shows medical cannabis to be “very helpful” in treating inflammatory bowel disease.

EVENTS

ASA // Here’s something you don’t see every day: a cannabis advocacy group pairing with a professional hockey team for a special night out. The San Francisco Bulls and Americans for Safe Access team together for Safe Access Night at the Cow Palace in Daly City tomorrow night.

SF Gate // It’s harvest time, which means the Organicann Harvest Market is returning to Santa Rosa next weekend. Members of the collective can buy surplus product at farmers’ market prices. Proceeds will benefit area charities.

IN OTHER NEWS

East Bay Express // “No smoking” signs will go up statewide at University of California campuses in January. The move has drawn little protest, but some scientists call the inclusion of e-cigarettes premature.

[Note: Neither of the above stories directly involves cannabis, but so many cannabis users have vaporizing devices now that it should be of interest.]

The Telegraph // Want to buy a partially equipped grow house? A real estate listing in Bristol, England included the usual photos of the house for sale – along an unusual one. The previous occupants didn’t clean out the second bedroom very well. It’s shown with ventilation pipes, fans and other indoor gardening supplies scattered all over. There’s no marijuana in evidence, though, so maybe the residents were just messy.